Staff Reports
A county official from North Carolina turned himself into the authorities for assault charges, according to a report from Fox 8. Wilkes County Commissioner Stoney Scott Greene surrendered on Monday on charges of assaulting a female and domestic criminal trespassing. He willingly went to the Wilkes County Magistrate’s Office and was later released on a $1,500 bond. This news comes amidst growing calls for Greene to step down from his position.
Greene has been in the spotlight for various controversies, including a past indictment related to a dogfighting incident over 20 years ago. Reports from the Wilkes Journal-Patriot detailed Greene’s involvement in a dogfight that took place in New Jersey in 2001, where he was arrested along with 42 others. Greene faced animal cruelty charges in connection with the event, as reported by the Asbury Park Press in 2002.
Wilkes County commissioner turns self in on assault charge amid controversy over dogfighting allegations https://t.co/9OPYl7bull pic.twitter.com/vYWRCUGeDe
— FOX8 WGHP (@myfox8) April 29, 2024
Despite these allegations, Greene, who was unsuccessful in securing the Republican nomination for North Carolina’s House District 94, has dismissed his past arrest as a misunderstanding. He claimed that the charges against him were eventually dropped. However, Animal Wellness Action, a nonprofit organization, has opposed Greene’s political aspirations, accusing him of breeding and selling dogs for fighting purposes.
Editorial (Opinion): Learning about the criminal allegations surrounding Wilkes County Commissioner Greene is deeply concerning. Individuals in positions of power should be held to the highest ethical standards, and any involvement in illegal activities, especially those related to animal cruelty, is unacceptable. The reported history of dogfighting and assault charges against Greene raises serious questions about his fitness for public office.
The resignation of Greene as the chair of the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners, followed by the board’s focus on combatting animal fighting, underscores the gravity of the situation. It is heartening to see efforts being made to strengthen laws against such inhumane practices through measures like the FIGHT Act. Public officials must uphold the law and serve as responsible stewards of their communities, which makes Greene’s alleged actions all the more disappointing and deserving of thorough investigation and accountability.
